Automobile torpedo.



5.11.. SC'OU. AuToMoBlL-E Toaffno, APPLxcATxoN' man MAY 3,1515.

L, 1??,28Q., Patented' Mar. 28,I 1916,

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POWDER PownER 5 POWDER ernment cram@ @ATENE @FFME l TMOBILE TGREPED.

incasso.

To a-Zlwhom t :fray concern.:

Be it known that I, BENJIMAN H. Soo'rr,

v .a citizen ofthe United States, residing at and useful 'improvements in Mshawaka, in the county of St. Joseph and- State or indiana, have invented certain new Automobile Torpedoes, of which he following 1is a specication.

The invention receive a motor for a casing` arranged to a storage system for propelling the torpedo;

Y operating -the motor, a storage system having normally spaced terminals, and a'con 'to bridge the normal terminals of age system to induce an are which will in elevation of the improved torpedo.

tact rod adapted on Contact with an object ignite theexplosive contained in 'the casing, the enplosive being disposed :for its most el?- ective result. v

yThe invention in the preferred form of details will he described `in the oilowing reference beinel had particir larly tothe accompanying drawings, in which: i'

Figure 1 is specication,

Fig. :E is a plan with the cover plate removed. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectionlo the 'forward portion of the torpedo showing the sparking detail.

'in the drawings the improved torpedo is shown as comprising a shell like casing l Aof cigar shape in generall outline though obviously any desired shape may be used. The casing is divided by forward and rear transverse partitions Zand 3 into three chambers, a forward chamber 4, 'a' central chamber' 5 and a rear chamber 6.- The forward partiable connection as a universal 11 with the driving shaft' of a motor 12, the latter beine'` preferably of the electrical type. Arranged within the central compartment are a series o storage batteries disposed in two series. The 'batteries are arranged immediateiy adjacent the side walls of the casino;

so as to leave the'interior of thecompartment free of obstruction for a purpose which will later appear. The batteries, arranged Specification of Letters Eatent.

relates to a torpedo de-. signed or electrical control and involving the stor-.

at 19. Therear end has 'bar 20, and at such elevation and kof such.

a lngiiudnn, Seam puny driven through the usual.

the casing. guided in a fi'xed' connected through any suitfA in any, two series, the batteries 13 for example being conneetedinseries and in circuit througha switch lemountedexteriorly of and 'convenlently located on the casing,u with the motor 1Q, whereby the motor may be readily and conveniently started -ior propelling the torpedo. The batteries of the 'remaining series as15 are'also in series connection with' terminals 16 `inl the forx'n of spaced spring strips arranged in parallel relation and pro'- `jected within the forward compartment 4, 16. having upturned hook ends 17 The forward a Contactv member 18 in the the terminal or bow endof the torpedo is 'provided with number, are as stated, provided in Patented Mar. di.

applicano exea .any a 1era' serial no. 235,635.

form of a'rod slidably mounted in the stem and projecting compartment 4; being within the' compartment turned downwardly and rearwardly as a rf-head or 'cross length that the head will wipe across the hook ends of 'the contact terminals in the reciprocation of. thel rod; .The ro'd is guided between upri-ghts 21, and its forward end extends in advance of the bow .of the torpedo presenting an impact signed to be brought into contact with an object in the path of travel 'of the torpedo and operated by such 'impact to cause the rod to he moved rearwardly for the purpose stated, the arm 18 thus 'constitutesa innov-v able bridging member o which the terminale 16 constitutethe energized contactsfthe wiping of the head 20 across the hooks and its approach to and recedance Vfrom such hook ends forming an arc to generate the necessary spark.

The chamber 4 and also portion. of the chamber 5 powder or other explosive in any desired quantity, the sole requirement being` a sulicient quantitv to be edectively reached by the spark referred to. The rear end of the casine is provided with a fixed vane 23 conthe unobstructed at its.' rear end within the.

element 'Q2 de# is provided with ico stituting a rudder which so far as possible of the torpedo'in a maintains the course straight From the above description it will be apparent that the torpedo is driven as long as the storage battery charge is,suiicient to line when once'airoed or directed.

lthrough the tide, ciirrent or movement of the opposing object, with a sufficient pressure, necessarily very light to move the inipact element.

That is claimed is:

l. An automatic torpedo including a casing, formed with va fixed rudder, partitions arranged in the casing providing the for# ward, central and rear compartments, the

partment a/d/ having a cross head adapted in Athe movement ofthe rod to electrically bridge the s" /t/eiminals to form an arc.

2. A omatic torpedo including a. casin ormed with a fixedrudder, partitions arranged in the casing providing the forward, central'and rear compartments, the

forward and central compartments being in open communication with each other, two

'independent sources of electrical'energy ar-v rangedwithin the central compartment and spaced to provide an ,explosive receiving space,\a propelling means for connection lwith one source of energy, spaced strips extending into the forward compartment-and having connection with 'the' other-source of energy, a rod mounted in the forward part of the casing for longitudinal movement,

-said -rod projecting in advance of the casing forward and central compartments being in.

open communication with each other, two independent sources of electrical energy arranged within the central compartment and i -spaced to provide an explosive receiving space, a propelling means for connection with one source of energy, spacedl strips extending into the forward compartment and having connection with the'other source of energy, a rod mounted in the forward part of tliecasing for longitudinal movement, said rod projecting in advance of the casing to provide an impact element, a portion of the rod extending within the forward comto provide an inpact element, la portion yof the rod extendingwithin the forward coin` partment andliaving a cross head adapted in the movement Aof the rod to electrically' bridge the'space terminals tol form anl arc, the space within the forward compartment and between the sources of'energy the central compartment, providing an uninterrupted explosive receivingrspace.'

In testimony whereof my signature c two witnesse.

BENJIMAN. IH.' SCOTT.

in presence of .VVitnesses:

GEORGE A. KURTZ,

GEORGE J. GLTSCH.l 

